JERUSALEM, June 14 (UPI) -- Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said Saturday three teens who disappeared Thursday were kidnapped by Palestinian terrorists.
"Naturally, I cannot share everything we know, not at this time; however, I can say this: Our boys were kidnapped by a terrorist organization. This is absolutely clear; there is no doubt about this," Netanyahu said.
He said the country is doing everything it can to bring the three boys, identified as Naftali Frankel, 16, Gilad Shaar, 16, and Eyal Yifrach, 19, back home. Frankel has dual Israeli-U.S. citizenship.
"We see Abbas and the [Palestinian Authority] as responsible for all attacks that come from their territory, either Gaza or the West Bank," Netanyahu said. "The claim that they are not responsible because it was in Area C is baseless. The attackers came from Palestinian Authority areas and the Authority is responsible."
The prime minister said the kidnapping was the result of a recent unity government between Fatah and Hamas.
"The unity with Hamas, opens the door for Hamas to control the West Bank. There is no possibility to talk about peace with Israel while you talk about unity with a group that wants to destroy Israel," Netanyahu said.
"In our area states are under threat of attack from extremist Islam and terror groups. Over and over we see that we can trust only ourselves, the [Israel Defense Forces], the Shin Bet and Israeli citizens and soldiers," he added.
